A West Des Moines family is enjoying an entirely new look with a four-month project.
Story by Carol McGarvey
Photography by Mirza Kudic
Featured in Summer 2024
You know how it goes. You purchase a home. Then later there are changes you would like to make. Do you move to a new location, or do you stay and remodel? After taking a close look at the home they purchased in 2011 and assessing new homes they looked at, Kelly and Steve Medina decided to stay and remodel.
“We loved the house, the area where we lived, and the extra space in our backyard because of a walking path,” Steve says. “To me, it was important to update the primary bath and the larger home office.”
“Our home was built in 2006, and we have always loved the basic space,” according to Kelly. “It just was not working for us. We were not using the dining room for its intended purpose. And the kitchen was too small, so small appliances were sitting on the countertops.”
They were pleased to have found Tom Monson of Home State Builders. Before moving back to Iowa, his home state, Monson spent several years as a project manager in high-end remodeling in upscale neighborhoods of central Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Paradise Valley, Arizona. “This project fit right into the scope of remodeling I have a lot of experience with. I was excited to work on this plan with Kelly and Steve,” he points out.
FOUR MONTHS
With the family in a rental apartment with their two children, Ashley, 16, and Alex, 14, Monson started on the project on October 1, 2023, and finished four months later, on February 15, 2024. “We touched every part of the house. The main level had the greatest transformation. We redesigned the kitchen and eliminated the dining room and created new space that provided better functionality,” he says.
Monson’s team worked from plans by Bryan Huggins of BBS Architects | Engineers. “Tom and I have worked on many projects over the years. We have had a good and fruitful experience on customizing homes,” Huggins says.
“Our previous color scheme was warm tones. The new one is white, light, and airy for a cooler look.”
Kelly Medina, Homeowner
Huggins is particularly pleased about the hidden pantry and that a window could be saved in that space. “It was great to remove the dining room. Dining rooms are just are not used that much these days. Also, the extra-large shower in the primary bathroom turned out beautifully.”
Huggins was pleased to work with Monson. “His attention to detail is phenomenal,” he says.
KITCHEN SURPRISE
The kitchen, now a glowing example of efficiency, is upscale in its design, complete with a 4- × 8-foot island and quartz countertops. Striking glass pendant lights hang above the island.
White Shaker-style cabinetry runs to the ceiling for maximum storage. Six of the upper doors feature glass, lighted from behind, to showcase decorative pieces. High-end convection appliances also mark the upgrades.
The surprise comes in a panel matching the cabinets. Push it slightly and it opens to become the doorway to the hidden walk-in pantry that features a wall of open shelves, along with a counter on the other side of the butcher block. A window at the end of the spot brings in natural light, a nice touch.
LVP flooring is now underfoot. The whole area sparkles with white finishes. “Our previous color scheme was warm tones,” Kelly points out. “The new one is white, light, and airy for a cooler look.”
NEW PURPOSES
Besides the pantry, the dining room removal morphed into a front-hall closet and a pocket office space for homework.
Also working on the design was Danielle Frye of Moehl Millwork, who worked on the kitchen remodel and on bathroom updates, all four of them. All the bathrooms were upgraded with new vanities, toilets, and plumbing fixtures. Interior designer Branka Dzolota helped Kelly on stain colors, window treatments, and lighting fixtures.
At the front of the main floor is Steve’s home office, now with a wall of shelving for efficiency.
The kitchen opens into the family room with its new fireplace mantel and stone surround and floating shelves. New light-toned furnishings visually open up the space.
For the open stairway to the second floor, a custom metal hand railing, completed by Factor Fabrication of Des Moines, is finished off by stained newel posts. Trim carpenters Ryan Hill and Marcus Untrauer of Home State Builders did an exceptional job overseeing the day-to-day operations as well as being tasked with the finish work.
In the upper level the major change was to the primary suite with a huge tiled walk-in shower and custom his-and-her walk-in closets.
One bedroom is the hangout spot for the kids, complete with a comfy couch and television. Their bedrooms, with a Jack ’n’ Jill bath between them, fit teenagers perfectly. The bedrooms have new ceiling fans, carpets, and shades.
“This was such a fun project from start to finish, from kicking off the collaborative design and uncovering the vision and aesthetic the Medinas envisioned to working with many teams of professionals that showcased their expertise in the project,” Monson says.
The homeowners are thrilled. Kelly says, “It is all just what we wanted. I love it all.”
Steve points out a positive aspect of the project. “Tom Monson and the entire crew felt such pride in their work. That is such a telling feature to notice.” •
Resources
- Remodeler Home State Builders
- Plans BBS Architects | Engineers
- Remodeler Moehl Millwork
- Interior designer Branka Dzolota
- Custom metal hand railing Factor Fabrication of Des Moines
- Trim carpenters Home State Builders